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כָּרָע

𐤊𐤓𐤏

kârâʻ

H3767 noun

SILEX Entry

Root כרע to bend, kneel, crouch

Definition

Lower part of the leg, specifically from the knee to the ankle, typically in reference to humans or insects (notably locusts); designates the lower limb segment supporting locomotion. In some contexts, used metonymically for legs as a pair or the part exposed or carried, not the entirety of the limb. In later or poetic usage, it may refer to limbs more generally.

Semantic Range

lower leg (human), calf, leg (insect hind limb, particularly locusts), pair of legs, anatomical limb for bending or movement; rarely, by extension, limb or leg of an animal

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root כָּרַע (k-r-ʿ), which fundamentally means 'to bend down, kneel, crouch.' The noun כָּרָע emerges from this root, describing the anatomical part of the body (leg) associated with the action of bending. The lexical form retains the core idea of 'that which bends,' applied specifically to the lower leg.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, כָּרָע appears rarely and primarily in the dual form, referencing the pair of legs. It may describe the legs of a person (Judges 5:27) or of animals and insects (e.g., the jumping legs of locusts in Leviticus 11:21). In relation to insects, it specifically designates the hind legs suited for leaping. The distinction between כָּרָע and related terms such as רֶגֶל (regel, the standard word for 'foot' or lower leg) highlights its specificity: כָּרָע emphasizes the 'calf' or lower leg segment, especially in relation to movement or the posture of kneeling/crouching. Standard English translations often generalize כָּרָע as 'leg,' but the Hebrew sense is anatomically more specific, highlighting the bendable, supporting segment between knee and ankle, distinct from the foot proper. Over time, usage remains restricted and does not broaden substantially; later Hebrew generally prefers רֶגֶל for broader reference to leg or foot.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from כָּרַע; the leg (from the knee to the ankle) of men or locusts (only in the dual); leg.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

כרע (k-r-ʿ) — to bend, kneel, crouch

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3766 כָּרַע to cause to kneel

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3767-03 כְרָעַ֨יִם֙ kheraayim HNcbda jointed legs lower legs 2
H3767-01 הַ/כְּרָעַ֖יִם hakeraayim HTd/Ncbda legs the lower legs 2
H3767-02 כְּרָעָ֖י/ו keraayv HNcbdc/Sp3ms its legs his lower legs 2
H3767-04 וּ/כְרָעָ֔י/ו ukheraayv HC/Ncbdc/Sp3ms and its legs and his lower legs 2
H3767-05 וְ/הַ/כְּרָעַ֖יִם vehakeraayim HC/Td/Ncbda and-the-legs and the two lower legs 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3767-02 Exodus 12:9 כְּרָעָ֖י/ו keraayv HNcbdc/Sp3ms its legs his lower legs
H3767-04 Exodus 29:17 וּ/כְרָעָ֔י/ו ukheraayv HC/Ncbdc/Sp3ms and its legs and his lower legs
H3767-04 Leviticus 1:9 וּ/כְרָעָ֖י/ו ukheraayv HC/Ncbdc/Sp3ms and its legs and his lower legs
H3767-05 Leviticus 1:13 וְ/הַ/כְּרָעַ֖יִם vehakeraayim HC/Td/Ncbda and-the-legs and the two lower legs
H3767-02 Leviticus 4:11 כְּרָעָ֑י/ו keraayv HNcbdc/Sp3ms its legs his lower legs
H3767-01 Leviticus 8:21 הַ/כְּרָעַ֖יִם hakeraayim HTd/Ncbda legs the lower legs
H3767-01 Leviticus 9:14 הַ/כְּרָעָ֑יִם hakeraayim HTd/Ncbda legs the lower legs
H3767-03 Leviticus 11:21 כְרָעַ֨יִם֙ kheraayim HNcbda jointed legs lower legs
H3767-03 Amos 3:12 כְרָעַ֖יִם kheraayim HNcbda legs lower legs
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